Author: thesaltyexchange

Kendall: Preparing for Guests

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From May of 2021 to January of 2022, we hosted 16 people in total at our home (one of those 16 visited twice totaling about 2.5 months). As a hostess, I have nailed down the art of preparing for people. With warmer months fast approaching and the lifting of pandemic restrictions, I expect many of you will be together for the first time in a long while. I also expect that you may feel a bit rusty on what to prep for. Luckily, my OCD tendencies have your back. Here is a list of things I run through when preparing for guests in my home.

Food:
– First, determine if any visitors have food allergies or sensitives. This may impact your budget.
– Set a budget (take in to consideration the length of visit, number of people, dietary restrictions, and how many meals per day you will be responsible for) and review it with your partner or roommate.
– Meal plan. Once you know the meals you will need to provide, plan them out! This helps with not only staying in budget but giving you a fairly definitive grocery list. Don’t forget to write your meals down so that you don’t forget why you put a particular item on your grocery list.
– Make a grocery list. Consider your meal plan, snacks, and a few contingencies.
– Split up your grocery list. Don’t shop for everything in one place. I know it’s really easy to just try and get everything from Costco… and you might be right! But what I have found is that even with large parties of people, products from Costco can be wasted or under utilized. I like to buy certain items from Costco, Trader Joe’s, and the local Hannaford or Shaw’s Supermarket. It’s a lot of shopping but honestly is worth it because I know I am making the most financially sound decisions. This can get quickly out of hand if you try and stick to one stop shopping. While the idea of one stop shopping is sexy, it’s also a marketing tactic.
– If shopping in advance, freeze certain products like meat. Find a way to label it all so that you don’t forget what you have/ can’t recognize an item through the haze of freezer things.

House:
Welp, if you know me you know that I have an unnatural compulsion to have a clean home. And, it is… it’s always clean; always ready to house people or entertain. But if you aren’t me (which hopefully you are not), you need to clean your house. I don’t care if you live in an apartment, condo, or sprawling estate. Make sure your home is ready to welcome people. It might take some extra prep to sit down and clean up but just do it. No one likes walking into a mess. For me, I make a list (surprise, surprise) of things that need to get done. Do guest bed sheets need to be washed? Guest towels? Inflatable mattresses blown up? Once your friends or family have arrived, I highly suggest maintaining the cleanliness of their bathrooms or any shared bathrooms. There are a lot of germs floating around these days and bathrooms house a lot. Look for daily cleaners that you can just spray and leave. Staying on top of it makes everything a lot less work for you when you are cleaning up after your guests depart.

Activities:
Skiing? Hiking? Lounging? Make sure to mention to your guests things that they should bring to make any activities you have planned possible. For example, if your guests want to ski, make sure they know to bring warm clothes. Find rental spots in advance so that you know where they can call to reserve equipment/make a rental appointment for said equipment. Trying to find that stuff out on the fly can waste a lot of time. And then, what’s the point? As we head into warmer days, our pool will be opening so I make sure to tell all summer guests to bring a swim suit. I then prep all of the swim towels (cheap at Costco and Target). Headed to the beach? Make sure you have a beach bag and a cooler prepped and ready. Have sunscreen for all to share in case your guests forgot!

General Entertaining:
This is my gas and booze spiel. Considering the state of gas prices and the predictions for the foreseeable future, budget OR plan for gas to cost more. Don’t overlook this. To fill up my car is now about $70-$85 dollars. I have no tips for you here but want to encourage you to THINK about it. And now, for booze. Booze can be an expensive part of entertaining. Some ways I have found to keep it simple is to have main staple alcohols like vodka or rum. From there, some tonic and citrus, of course. If you have a summer guest, have a themed cocktail or two that is easy to whip up and doesn’t require any speciality ingredients or liqueurs… that can add up- trust me. Or just have some beer in the fridge. Keep things simple. If your guests want something, head to the store together so that they can purchase what they want. And while you are out, fill up the car… just in case.

In the upcoming month we have one visitor here for two weeks and potentially another here for three weeks. I am actually doing ALL of the above to make sure I don’t miss anything. We often have visitors because our families don’t live nearby! They hail from Seattle or Houston and with a toddler and being pregnant, it’s just easier if people come to us. Sometimes though, it can also be tough. If you missed the news: I am pregnant with baby #2. I am now in my third trimester. I am big. I am tired. I am swollen. Planning ahead IS THE way to keep things simple not just on me from a planning standpoint but from a physical one as well. I am limited in how long I am on my feet. Some days, I am good. Some days, my feet are so swollen and my pelvis is so achey that I am off my feet by 5:30 pm. I am planning for all of this so that everything goes smoothly. Normally, my husband would jump in to help and takeover beautifully BUT right now he is not only working but doing grad school in the evenings. We just have a lot on our plates. So we plan for it together. You need to think the same way. What’s going on with work? Are you going to be home? Can you take time off? Do you have someone to help and split all the things up with? Or are you solo? Be realistic. I know lots of people want to visit us after our new baby is born. I’ve said no for the first month and half after. It’s not because I don’t love people or want them to meet the baby. It’s because we will have a whole new dynamic to adjust to. It’s because I want to be able to breastfeed freely without covering up. I want my husband to be able to be on paternity leave and finish his final grad school class so that after we can freely entertain together. I want to focus on myself, my body, and my family- selfish? Probably. Needed? Very. Postpartum is tough and I learned the first time that I have to take care of myself before I start worrying about others or else I can’t be a decent mom. I get distracted. It’s my own failing but it’s one I recognize I have. It’s also why sticking to the above lists and considerations are so important! I don’t want to let any guests down because we didn’t plan for it. I always want a guest to leave feeling refreshed and happy!

As we emerge from our homes and into the world, I want to say welcome back! I hope this is the start of not being limited or afraid of the pandemic. I hope this sticks. When you are hosting or visiting your loved ones in the coming months, don’t take it for granted. Who really cares what you eat or do? Sometimes it’s just being together that counts. I think that’s something we can all agree on. Stay safe.

Next week? Tips on being a great house guest!

Photo by Vie Studio on Pexels.com

Shari: Babymoon Plans

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If you know me, you know that I am a planner. My life usually consists of getting overly excited for the next trip or outing. There are so many reasons I love traveling that it could be a whole blog post on it’s own but I will spare you those gushy-details for another day. Today, I want to focus on the term that people like to use for the “last big trip you take before a baby arrives.” This trip is referred to as The Babymoon. Similar to a “honeymoon,” the babymoon is suppose to be special and time for the future parents to connect, relax, and unwind a bit before the baby arrives.

My husband and I went back and forth on whether or not we were going to plan an official babymoon. We talked about a trip to Alaska to admire nature and stay in a cute and cozy VRBO, we discussed revisiting our cancelled honeymoon plans in sunny Kauai since travel there is easier now (in less covid times), and we talked about a local, cost-effective, and relaxing weekend getaway (we love simple trips too). None of those ideas actualized and we started to give up on the idea because time is ticking and we both have work travel planned. More on the work travel in my next post. Anyway, we both want to go somewhere warm and between baby showers, maternity pictures, and every-other-weekend time with the kids… our options to get-out-of-town looked pretty slim.

Then we realized our kids are going to Hawaii with their mom the first week in May and it would be the perfect time to get out of town too (while I am still allowed to travel). I personally don’t want to travel past 32 weeks but I am allowed to travel until 36 weeks. That first week in May hits the 31 week mark for me and our last opportunity to get out of town and hopefully enjoy some sunshine! So we booked our trip to visit some friends in Arizona where we plan on doing a whole lot of… nothing. I foresee a large amount of time spent in the pool or lounging by the pool in my very pregnant future… eeek we cannot wait! Babymoon to Arizona here we come!!!

Disclaimer **before you try to tell me that it is going to be too hot or that I wont want to travel, just don’t. I’m excited for the opportunity to travel but of course I will listen to my body and do what is best for myself and the baby when the time comes.

Here are some examples of babymoon ideas both expensive and affordable (save or pin this to reference later). Babymoons don’t have to be complex or complicated, if anything I’d think you’d want to unplug and relax. Get away and enjoy your significant other (pre-baby) and take some time for yourself before finding time for yourself becomes a little more challenging.

Splurge Babymoons:

  • Spa weekend getaway (locally The Post Hotel has been on my list)
  • Go somewhere sunny but make sure there is a breeze (highly recommend San Diego)
  • Explore a coastal town (Oregon Coast is a favorite for a relaxing yet beautiful getaway)
  • International travel (Mexico, Europe, somewhere you’ve always wanted to go without a baby)
  • Vegas.. last hurrah?! (but with mocktails)

Affordable Babymoons:

  • Rent a nearby vrbo or cabin to just getaway and unplug
  • Book a hotel in a nearby city that you’ve always wanted to explore
  • Road trip somewhere close by to visit a friend or family
  • Take a much needed night of self-care and takeout
  • Staycation with a theme, if you’re going to stay home make it fun!

Shari & Kendall’s Thoughts on Baby Registries

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From Shari:

I have to admit, creating my baby registry was just about as overwhelming and time consuming as putting together my wedding registry. Tons of options, everyone’s advice is different, and only you know what products and things you already have or want to avoid. I can tell you that as a first time mom there are several registry tips that I highly recommend which include using the website Babylist.com, getting an example registry to go off of, and starting your registry early enough that you can add and delete things as you progress in your pregnancy. I know more about necessary and unnecessary baby items now at 24 weeks than I did when I created my registry at 12 weeks! Let’s dive in…

This is not an ad for Babylist, but I have to say the website was a huge saving grace when I was overwhelmed at the beginning. Babylist was an easy one-stop shop to put everything in one central place. I didn’t have to make an Amazon or Target list but I could pull items from those places and add them to my organized babylist which made everything noticeably easier for me. Babylist also gives you best seller and top listed products to give you an idea of where to start your registry. I found it super helpful since, let’s be honest, I don’t know much about baby items and there are so many options out there!

The second thing I found the most helpful was another first time mom sent me her registry as an example. I highly recommend exploring someone else’s registry. Their registry will give you an idea of how you want to set up your own. Based on her registry I quickly noticed her theme, how she tagged some items as “must-have”, and she even set up “funds” for meals and diapers which I thought was genius. I would have never thought of that without seeing her registry to know it was even possible. Definitely glad I was able to take a peek at a sample registry before creating my own.

Lastly, start the process sooner than later so you can add and delete items as you progress in your pregnancy. I added some really unnecessary items on at the beginning and as I learned more about baby products, I was able to edit and clean up my registry to the point where it is ready to be shared and viewed (I kept it private and unsearchable for a long time). Don’t stress over your registry, it will all come together. In the meantime here are a few items that were suggested repeatedly to me the past several months…

  1. The Baby Shusher – new moms have told me they love this little thing, worth every penny apparently!
  2. The Skip Hop on-to-go changing station – some mommas have said they just take this with them when they are in a hurry.
  3. The Earth Mama Nipple Butter – apparently this stuff is magic!
  4. Baby bottle variety pack – unsure about what bottle to get, this variety pack may help you decide after baby comes.
  5. Water wipes – you never know if baby may be sensitive to somethng, these water wipes are highly recommended by my mom friends.

There you go, my top five most suggested items. Happy registry planning, you got this!

From Kendall:

Well, it’s round two for me! I should be baby registry pro, right? WRONG. So, so, so wrong.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, we were living abroad, not sure how long we would be staying in Spain after she was born, and totally new to understanding the baby market. Very quickly I decided that minimal was best. I didn’t want to come to rely on too many products or have Rosemary rely on them for soothing and play when there was a chance our whole lives would be packed in a crate(s) and then held in military storage in DC. Thus, I went real, real simple.

In addition to be a minimalist, I was living elsewhere in the world. Products change a bit. In Spain, click in and click outs weren’t super popular. They had them but they were far pricier than they are here in the states. Also, a lot of moms found them useless and not helpful in terms of helping a baby to adapt to going back to bed or being flexible. I know some American moms who would go to war because they love their click ins and outs so much! Who’s right? No one. It’s all a matter of preference and availability! Whereas we in the US have a plethora of brands to pick from, the brand options are a bit smaller over there. Standards of safety with certain things change with every country. It was super effing hard to navigate. I was trying to pick products that met all standards of safety in the EU and the US. That’s not as easy as you think, hence the minimalist route I took to my registry.

Shari is right- find some example registries! I loved the “essential” guides from sites like The Bump, Babylist, and Verywell Family. I exhaustively reviewed every item on my registry. It’s important to note that all moms have different definitions of essentials AND this is totally ok. What was important for me may or may not be important to Shari. Lifestyles, price points, budgets, future goals after the baby is born, and the list goes on ALL impact what you are going to want and need. As a stay at home mom who pretty much breast fed on demand, I didn’t need a lot of things for feeding. That can easily change your registry. Bottles, bibs, bottle warmers, disinfecting machines, formula, pumps, etc. can all change based on lifestyle factors. The hard part about this? How do you even know what you will need before you really start living the daily mom life? It’s a bit of a challenge.

Now, it’s time for round two. Here’s the thing, Issy and I still have a lot of things but over the years we did donate some items. During COVID, Vermont was in massive need of baby things. We decided to donate some of the bigger items because we didn’t mind buying them again and we really wanted to help our community out. Right after Christmas, we went ahead and purchased a new crib, crib mattress, swing, nursing chair, an updated carseat for Rosemary, another pack and play (we need two), and pack and play mattress. The essentials are done. The artwork is mostly done. The nursery theme for this little man is The Chronicles of Narnia. I thought we were good. THEN, I realized we do need some things. So I created a registry. It’s still pretty small and basic. New baby towels, wash cloths, burp cloths, and bedding are on the list. There are a few other big ticket items that we didn’t get the first time (but wish we had). All in all, it’s not excessive. I actually have complaints that there aren’t enough things on there… which I find hard to believe! I really don’t know what else to ask for. I really don’t expect people to send gifts again so I feel a little awkward creating one… actually, guilty is the better word. I feel guilty. I am not the greatest at receiving gifts. I am just awkward that way. I really can’t explain it more.

Okay, essentials. Here are my essentials and why they are essential to me! You may totally disagree, and that’s ok! We all “mom” differently.

  1. Find a baby monitor you love. The baby will sleep with us at night for the first 11 or 12 months of their life in a secure crib fixture. BUT, napping in their own room is essential for a little bit of rest. We are huge fans of the Angelcare monitor system.
  2. Swaddles. Once we started properly swaddling Rosemary, she began to sleep in long stretches. My favorites were from Aden and Anais. They were lightweight, great for summer activities outside (think lounging in the grass), and perfect for draping over the stroller while the baby naps.
  3. A milk catcher. If you are a mom who ends up breastfeeding, I highly recommend having this on hand. Did you know that when you start feeding, your other boob can leak? Don’t waste the precious milk. Catch it. Put it in a bottle and save up. You might not need it or always need it. I did for the first 7-8 months.
  4. Black and white baby toys/books are a must-have for me. The contrast is good for your baby! Just search “black and white baby toys” in the Amazon search bar and be amazed!
  5. Pick a stroller that’s right for you. For us, we were limited by a lot of factors. Some of the strollers I wanted wouldn’t ship from the US and some strollers in Spain had different safety standards than the US. So our pool was limited. We ended up spending the big bucks on a Bugaboo Fox. I can already hear some of you saying that’s stupid… and to you I say, BACK OFF. My Bugaboo was and IS worth every penny. It had a great suspension system for navigating the cobblestone roads of Spain, Andorra, France, and Germany. It is super sleek and easy to fold down. It has a variety of seat positions and options. It’s lightweight. I LOVE MY BUGABOO. It’s essential to me. And it’s cleaned, ready, and waiting for baby boy.

I think that’s it. Just remember, pick what YOU want. It’s ok to change your mind. It’s ok to ask questions. It’s ok to love something. It’s ok to think something is stupid. It’s ok to budget here and/or splurge there. Have fun and remember none of it really matters- you make do. I did. We didn’t have most of our things for about 5 months of Rosemary’s first year of life. Trust me when I say that she didn’t care or know any better. She is thriving and well… stuff is just stuff. But love and snuggles? Ah, that’s the dream.

Photo by Dominika Roseclay on Pexels.com

Kendall: This Is 34

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This year’s birthday was the most mellow yet. Since the big day happened to fall on a Monday, we opted to celebrate over the weekend. We enjoyed my favorite take out, watched my favorite shows, and drank many a fancy mocktail. On my actual birthday, I was exhausted so I went and got my favorite latte and bagel and then crashed for a few hours on the couch with my kiddo. We ended the evening with a fancy Costco dinner of hot dogs for Issy and a chicken bake for me. It was nothing special but it was relaxing; which is exactly what I needed.

For the past few years, I have forgotten my age. Seriously, I always forget which thirty something I am. I just don’t care. Age has never been a big deal to me. Yes, I am getting older… but that doesn’t really scare me… yet! Maybe this will all change at some point but for now, my age just doesn’t really matter. I also REALLY hate attention. I don’t like public shout outs (but I do like to give them to the people I love so I have been told I am a hypocrite when it comes to this). I don’t like people paying attention to me. Perhaps it’s all the years of growing up and people telling me I must love attention that made me completely shy away from it. I never loved it and when you have people telling you do like you are some kind of crazy attention seeker, it made me run the other way. Who knew saying “Happy Birthday” to me could turn in to such a debacle?

This year is going to be a big year for me. I will be birthing my second child, my husband will be finishing up some big things, and my daughter will start preschool. Our whole way of life is going to be upended. Naturally this has me thinking about things I need to let go of, things I need to plan for, and things I need to work on. This whole year is also reminding me that I need to keep loving myself. That may sound silly but it something I struggle with and work on daily. My gut reaction to any circumstance in life is to turn inward and basically blame or hate myself. Why couldn’t I be better? Why didn’t I plan for that? And the list of unhealthy self-loathing questions goes on. This has never served me well and has even turned me into a version of myself that I really don’t like or ever want to be. So I have had to find ways to be better and not turn to that way of thinking. I need to continue to work on pushing that away and letting things go. For a long time, I was SUPER insecure. This was exploited by that negative thinking and even negative people. While I grew out of that a while ago, the trauma of living, thinking, and speaking like that has been slow to heal. Oddly enough, being a mother to my daughter has helped me to let that stuff go. It has no place in helping shape a decent human. When she looks at me or cries for me or is driving me downright crazy, I see myself in a whole new way and it’s a way that is really good for me to experience. I have to be better not just for her but for myself; I can’t expect to mother well if I carry all that baggage around. AND truthfully, it has no power or relevance in the current life I lead. What does have power is working on my patience (which is tried daily by a toddler) and kindness (also tried daily by a toddler, a world where there is so much to be afraid of, and constant worry of “what’s next”). I don’t want to be 35, 39, 42, or 50 and still trying to acknowledge this stuff. I want 34 to be the year of finally just letting go. Breathing it all in on one breath and breathing it all out right after. This is the year.

As a 34 year old, I still feel young. Heck I am young! I am not that old but because I have children, people automatically assume you must be more ancient than you are- which is an unfair stigma. BUT hey, so is the decision to not have children. People are just brutal to each other some times. We are especially brutal about the aging process. Do I physically look different than I did a decade ago? SURE DO. Am I healthier than I was a decade ago? SURE AM. My face has more freckles, sometimes I see a hint of a double chin, my butt has changed, my boobs are bigger, my size is bigger but I am still healthier than I have ever been. I can workout pretty well (ok, well right now my belly is in the way and it is getting hard to do my regular routine so I am down to just walking- but still), I eat healthy, and I am actually happy. I am not perfect and have lots to work on but I am just happy. I am happy to be living in Vermont, have my family, and be who I am. Sometimes, I do feel alone. Being a mom in the pandemic can be a lonesome journey and being a pregnant mom in the pandemic can be even more lonesome still. There are far more interesting people out there to hang out with but I think I am still pretty cool. And I only plan on getting cooler, so come on 34!

I used to take a lot of selfies. Maybe it was the confidence or the fact that I used to do my hair and make up every day and now I definitely don’t… BUT, this is me. This is 34.

Shari’s Tribute to the Women in Her Life

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Every month should be dedicated to celebrating women, humanity, and empowerment. However, I will settle for the beauty that comes from celebrating women’s history month in March. This week we celebrated International Women’s Day and I saw so many fun social media posts with links to various Instagram accounts and influencers but what I was looking for was the reason, the “why”? What about that specific woman made you want to post about her? What makes her stand out? Then I thought about my girlfriends, my aunts, cousins, and even my mom… all women that in one way shape or form have molded me into the person I am today.

Here is my shout out to Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day to honor the women in my life…

To my girlfriends: Thank you for being there. It’s simple. Friends are important, having someone that I can lean on, count on, and look forward to being a constant presence in my life is invaluable. I can’t imagine my life without several key friendships. You know who you are. You know that I message you or marco polo you. I take the time to invest into you because I love you and value your friendship. I admire you, I’m inspired by you, and I hope I lift you up and encourage you, too. You deserve to hear me cheer for you. I want to celebrate your successes, I want to comfort your heartaches, I want to also simply be there for you when you need me. My friends, you are intelligent, bold, beautiful, and ridiculously good at multitasking. Seriously, what some of my girlfriends manage to accomplish on-the-daily is impressive. If only you could see my face right now, beaming with pride. Yes, I am proud of you. I am proud of you for showing up for your life, yourself, your families… even on the days that challenge you the most. My friends hold so many important titles, they are impressive individuals, mothers, wives, athletes, entrepreneurs, and leaders. I am not offended if you don’t text me back. I always assume you are doing something remarkable, because you my friend are extremely remarkable and deserve to be celebrated EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

To my Aunts and Cousins: You are my family and I am so grateful for you. I carry the thought of you with me everyday and am linked to you so deeply. It’s easy to overlook the relationship with family because you are connected by blood (or name) but in reality YOU are who I wish I could spend more time with. Even when I was little my heart would burst just thinking about you… I could hardly contain my excitement to see you, hug you, and be in your presence. You have always been special to me and when we get to catch up or spend time together, I’m truly filled to the brim and I hope you are too. I am also extremely proud of you. Proud of the women and role models you have been in my life. For the constant way you’ve showed up for me and my family. I hope you have felt my support and love throughout the years. I am looking forward to more family gatherings in the future and to the next time I get to hug you and see you. I can’t wait for you to meet my little girl and for her to have so many amazing women in her life that she can also call FAMILY. I love you.

To my Mom: Well what better person to acknowledge on Women’s History Month than my own mother. Strong, beautiful, and kind. You’ve been through more in your lifetime that most would even begin to imagine. With unwavering faith and grace you have been a gentle yet powerful leader in our family. You’ve taught me the ways of the world, how to show immeasurably more kindness than what people deserve, and how to stand back to let others shine. Thank you for your grace and love, you are the example of Christ that I wish the world could see and know. I never take it for granted that you are my mom and I am so lucky to call you mine. I can’t wait for my little girl to have a relationship with you. Thank you for cheering me on, showing up even when you didn’t need to, and for loving me through every season. I hope you know how proud I am to be your daughter, how much I look up to you and admire you, and I hope you know that when I think of celebrating women in my life, I always think about you FIRST. You mean the world to me.

To the women I haven’t met yet: I look forward to sharing a slice of your life. I am already thankful that I get to know you at some valuable point in my lifetime. May we be able to lift each other up and bring so much joy and positive influence to each other’s lives. You are smart, dedicated, and honorable. You are the type of person I am proud to have surrounding me. Thank you for being a genuine friend and presence. I can’t wait to spend time together and learn from each other.

This is my tribute to the women, albeit a generic shout out but one filled with gratitude for the women in my life. If you fell into one of these categories I hope you know how much I truly mean these sentiments. You are a treasure to me. Happy Women’s History Month, may we honor women in our lives today and everyday!

Shari’s Simple Egg Bake Recipe

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In an effort to think of something to blog about this week, I realized that I don’t feel super inspired by much right now. Normally I am in the beginning stages of spring cleaning fever or planning an upcoming adventure… instead I am just here, growing a baby and praising myself for making home cooked meals this week. But seriously I haven’t made a legitimate meal in quite a while and this week I have made ALL of them… I deserve a medal, thank you. 

Speaking of meal planning and meals… a recipe that I often get asked about is my favorite (and simple) egg bake. I make several versions of this but my tried and true is the ham rendition. It is high in protein and packed with flavor! It was one of my favorite clean keto breakfast go-to’s.

Shari’s Simple Egg Bake Recipe

  • 12 eggs 
  • Diced ham 
  • 2 bell peppers cut small
  • ½ onion finely chopped
  • 1 small can of diced green chilies (mild)
  • Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. 

Prep all the veggies and make sure the ham is diced into small cubes. Saute the bell pepper and onion together on medium heat. Once the onions start to turn translucent, add in the ham and the can of mild diced green chilies. Combine and remove from the stovetop. I tend to drain out any extra liquid at this point.

In a separate bowl, stir together the eggs and sprinkle in some salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Once your mixture is stirred, add in the other ingredients and stir until combined. 

Now take a greased pan (13X9 inch), add your mixture, and place it in the oven. I set a timer for 20 minutes and add time as necessary until the middle looks cooked.
PRO TIP: I poke it with a knife or tooth pick to make sure it comes out clean.

After the egg bake cools, I portion it out for the week in tupperware. My husband and I like to warm it up and add salt/pepper (to taste) with a side of avocado. YUM!!! This is one of our favorite breakfast dishes and we even have it for lunch sometimes.

Enjoy and let me know if you make this!

Kendall: Wordle- Worth the Hype?

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Wordle. It was all over the internets a few weeks back. A quick recap: An 80 year old woman was held hostage in her home. She always sent one of her daughters her daily Wordle score because she enjoyed the game so much! On this particular day, no text from mom went to her daughter with her new score. This was worrisome for the daughter and she contacted authorities to check on her mom. The older woman was rescued and the individual who held her hostage was apprehended. All because of a Wordle score, people. I know we sometimes wonder if we are too connected to each other because of technology… but come on… a woman’s life was saved that day. 

Then my good pal Stephyne asked me during a quick texting convo if I had tried Wordle. She sent me the link but I didn’t check it out right away. I was afraid of being disappointed. But a few days later, curiosity got the better of me. I tried Wordle. And to date- I have won every game that I have played. I don’t play every day but a few times a week. It’s a wonderful way to get that brain going. So try it. And don’t cheat. It’s so satisfying. 

Also- it could save your life.

Shari’s Initial Thoughts on Pregnancy

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This week we did something big, we finally publicly announced our pregnancy. Most of our family and friends already knew and it wasn’t some huge secret but I didn’t want to post anything on social media (or The Salty Exchange) until after we got to see our little girl on the 20 week anatomy ultrasound. This ultrasound was the first time we got to see our baby since the 6 week ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy. Why is it that women aren’t able to have ultrasounds once a month at their OB appointments, huh? There are quite a few issues I have surrounding medical care in regards to pregnancy but I will save that for another blog post and I am sure Kendall will gladly chime in, ha!

My first trimester (like most women) involved several weeks of nausea. The best way I could describe it was 24/7 flu but without throwing up, just nauseous and achy… ALL THE DAMN TIME! After 2 weeks of that I called my doctor to request some pregnancy safe anti-nausea medicine because I was starting to feel depressed by how awful I felt. The only words of comfort to me at the time were, “In most cases, sickness is directly correlated to good fetal health,” or, “Just take the anti-nausea medicine, if someone judges you they have their own issues.” Luckily this part only lasted four weeks for me (weeks 6 – 11 of pregnancy) which happened to be during Thanksgiving time. By Christmas I was almost in my second trimester and already feeling better. The aversions to certain foods persisted into my second trimester but not nearly as nauseous inducing as they had been. My poor husband couldn’t eat ANY meat around me, which was hard for him because he is still eating pretty clean and that includes a lot of meat and veggies.

Along those lines, I now understand why women eat fairly terribly during pregnancy and it is honestly because NOTHING sounds or looks or smells good. I had these lofty dreams of eating salads and smoothies and making nutritious meals but when my nausea hit, I could barely make toast, let alone think of something nutritious that didn’t make me queasy. All that to say, I am glad that part of pregnancy is behind me although some women say some nausea comes back in the third trimester, I am hoping that isn’t the case for me. Another thing I’ve realized is that pregnancy is so incredibly different from person to person. My experience could be relatable to some and not to others. Some women brag about their easy pregnancies and what they credit their lack of symptoms to but that isn’t fair because not everyone will have the same experience and every experience is valid. Kendall told me multiple times when I was in the thick of my nausea, she told me to remember this part of pregnancy because too often women forget how hard and awful those moments are because they don’t last forever. I think that was some of the best advice because I can now empathize with other women in their first trimester who are dealing with the sickness that can accompany major body changes and fetal development. It’s no joke and it was helpful for me to know that I wasn’t in it alone and that other women understood my discomfort.

Now I transition into the latter part of my pregnancy journey. The end of the second trimester and onto the third which will be followed by (drum roll please) the birth of our baby girl. I am trying to stay open and positive about birth but I am not going to lie, that part of the process is intimidating too. I keep reminding myself that women are created for this. This week, seeing baby in the ultrasound reminded me that we are made to create, grow, and give life. Women are amazing. I am amazing. My body is doing something I can’t even fathom, honestly. Baby had her little hands in her face during the ultrasound, opening and closing her mouth… I could envision her doing that outside the womb with cute coo’s and baby squeaks to accompany those precious movements. I cannot wait to meet her, hold her and watch her grow, but I am also stopping in this moment to enjoy the process happening inside me; so intricate, so beautiful, and so primal. Pregnancy is wild. What an adventure!

Baby Girl – 20 weeks

Kendall’s Hair Product Reviews

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Kendall’s Hair Product Reviews

My name is Kendall and I like to color my hair. Really, I am sort of down to try anything. I have permed my hair (still a favorite look to this day), cut it off into a “boy cut,” grown it out, bleached it blonde, chopped some bangs, and begun again. For the amount of things I have done to my hair, it is still in pretty amazing shape. I owe that to wonderful hairstylists over the years and GOOD product. If you are someone like me who is constantly changing up your hair, you know that picking quality products is a must… and also an added expense to already pricey trips to the salon. My hair is sort of the one thing I do for myself. I love a fresh cut and color- it makes me feel like less of a person who spends all day mothering and getting bossed around by my toddler. To make it last (and therefore, that feeling last) I get the right products to keep my hair looking good until my next salon visit.

As I said above, salon products are expensive. Some people spend money on takeout, regular clothes shopping, or whatever hobby they may have. I spend money on my hair and skin care. I rarely buy new clothes and we limit takeout (usually- pregnancy has made this more challenging but on the whole, we keep it under control). My husband spends money on guitar items like pedals, strings, and other things I don’t understand. I buy quality hair oil. Potato, Patato. Anyways, here are some reviews of my favorite salon products:

** Please note that below items are a bit on the pricier side but also last a long time IF used properly. You would be shocked at how many of us use our products incorrectly AND actually shampoo/condition our hair incorrectly. Please chat with a stylist for tips regarding your personal hair care regime. And my reviews are just my opinions. No one is paying me anything!

Shampoo/Conditioner
Pureology– As a regular colorer of my hair, I need a good shampoo and conditioner duo that keep my hair vibrant and healthy. This is a favorite. It doesn’t strip the color prematurely and keeps my hair hydrated. I specifically use the Hydrate formula that’s in a purple bottle. Heaven. Bonus: 100% Vegan formula and Pureology does not test on animals.

Kevin Murphy– Coming to you from Australia, Kevin Murphy is seriously good product for your hair. I have used several different formulas from them depending on my current hair situation. A stylist should know which to recommend after working with your hair. Not only are the products wonderful on your hair, but they smell and feel luxurious. The brand also is an advocate for sustainability in terms of packaging AND ingredients.

Pulp Riot by Barcelona: Need to keep your tone that pretty lighter shade? Look no further. Pulp Riot is an essential for those of us who go cool blonde every one in a while. Essentially, the Pulp Riot shampoo will keep your hair from getting that brassy look. I usually pair this with a Kevin Murphy conditioner. Total perfection. Also, it’s 100% Vegan!

Prose: Yup, I tried it. Actually, I used it today. Instagram and Facebook got me. Essentially, you take a quiz about your hair. Be honest or you might not get good results. I have not “subscribed” and probably won’t. With that said, I actually like my personalized formula. I ended up purchasing a pre-shampoo mask, shampoo, and conditioner. So far, it has worked really well. I appreciate that they give you super specific instructions on how to use the products. They are a certified B corp and put lots of resources in to R&D. I am interested to see how they evolve and if they make it in the current market. I think I will continue to buy as needed but not do their monthly subscription option.

With all of the above laid out for you, I should be honest that I swap back and forth depending on what’s in my shower/what I think my hair needs. I don’t like to use the same product over and over. I also no longer wash my hair every day. At present, I am washing it every 3-4 days and then rotating through my products. My hair tends to rebel when I use something over and over so variety seems to be good for it. The things I do use every wash are listed below!

Leave-In Treatments
Pureology Color Fanatic Leave-In– This has 21 ingredients to keep your hair protected. Spray it in after you get out of the shower. It’s lovely.

Bumble and Bumble’s Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protection Primer– I swap between the Pureology and this. This is great in the summer to protect my hair from the sun. It also keeps my hair from getting too dried out and instead keeps it nice and conditioned until my next hair wash.

Bumble and Bumble’s Grooming Creme– Frizzy hair got you down? Throw some of this in right after your leave-in conditioner. A little goes a LONG way so don’t go crazy. I make one of these last a year or more.

Bumble and Bumble’s Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil– This. Has. Saved. My. Hair. Once again, a little goes A LONG way. If I purchase the 3.4 fl oz, it will last almost a year. Maybe more. Personally, my ends dry up super easily. This helps. A lot! Put it on after you do your leave-in sprays and creme stuff. It’s the perfect finish before you style (or if you let your hair air dry like me!).

The Day After
Ok, dry shampoo. I have had a really hard time finding a decent one. I am weird about the texture they can leave after I spray my roots. It’s sort of crispy at times… and that drove me crazy- even if my hair looked decent. BUT, once I found Bumble and Bumble’s Post Workout Dry Shampoo Mist, I was super happy. Instead of a dry feeling on my scalp, it hydrated my scalp… and didn’t mix with my my morning workout sweat to look super oily. This is a winner for me. Also, it lasts a while.

IF you are in the Burlington area, please check out Indigo. It’s down on Battery Street. The variety of product they offer and the skills of the stylists are some of the best I have ever experienced. Bonnie is my hairstylist and a saint. She keeps up with whatever is in my head and brings it to life. I should tell you that this changes about every three months or so (insert facepalm here). I also recommend Willowbstylist. Full disclosure: I have not been to her new salon but she was my original hairstylist at Indigo and has a TON of experience- and she totally fixed my very messed up hair… that was not an easy feat and was slightly embarrassing as a first time client but she made me feel human again. She is also a saint.

Kendall: The Motherhood Saga Continued…

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Being a mom to a toddler is a bit of an emotional roller coaster. On any given day you can be loved, kicked, screamed at, snuggled with, cherished, or hated. It’s a total mind f^#$. 

My toddler is so… smart. She knows her numbers, colors, shapes, and emotions. But as a toddler she also completely lacks the skills to instantly recognize her feelings and then act appropriately. To be fair, we probably all know some adults that are like this. Regardless, she is fascinating. Watching her little brain learn and process things is a total privilege. Albeit, one that sometimes requires me to hide in the pantry for a five minute sanity break. 

She wants space but all she wants are snuggles. Her desire for independence is only eclipsed by her panic that comes on when she realizes I am not in the living room but upstairs swapping out the laundry. As her dad and I have gotten to know more of who she is becoming we have been left with lots of questions. Are we doing enough? Are we being taken seriously as her parents? How do we address certain behavioral issues that are TOTALLY normal for a toddler? How do we give her independence with boundaries? How do we teach her that it’s okay to have lots of feelings and the words to express those feelings? How do we not overly validate everything so that she learns and doesn’t just become some jerk of an adult? The questions are endless and the answers are few. 

Some days it feels like I get nothing right. Others, it feels like I am “on” and totally winning the whole motherhood game. What I have learned about myself is this: I am enough. My daughter has shown me that through all of her tantrums, joys, games, laughs, and frustrations that I am enough. She loves me, forgives me, and encourages me. When you receive that from a child, it totally changes you… at least it has for me! I was never certain about being a mom. I thought I might be too selfish to really be any good at it. Loving Rosemary has made me a more giving and kind person.

Being a mom is just one part of who I am. Yet at present as a stay at home mom, it is sort of the most dominant part of myself. Every part of my day centers around my daughter. I am a glorified chef, playmate, nurse, and therapist to my three year old. Where in all of that stuff am I? Does it even matter? Well, yes, it does matter. When I have consistent breaks, I mother better. I am more patient, tender, and level headed. Finding moments to take breaks is hard. They won’t always be, but right now they are. With Issy working and in grad school, our routine is different. He is working his butt off to achieve something really wonderful; something I understand. Higher education is a total privilege and worth the blood, sweat, and tears. When I was in grad school, I didn’t have a lot of support. I handled working and school all on my own without a cheerleader. Being there for my husband is really important to me. This crazy time in our life will pass. Very soon actually! What will we do when he has all of his free time back? Don’t worry- I have a list for him! Haha. And it’s one he can’t wait to jump on. We will also have a new baby and therefore, a whole new dynamic to figure out. It’s daunting. But, together, we have always figured it all out.

Things are going to change a lot in the next few months. Who I am as a mother will change. The saga will continue. I’ll keep you updated.

Shari’s Thoughts on COVID and “A New Normal”

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Shari’s Thoughts on COVID and “A New Normal”

We are still living in weird times. So many people are still divided on whether or not covid was some governmental conspiracy or if we are really on our way out of it all and back to normal (whatever normal means these days). I tiptoe on the line of wanting to be respectful and cautious but also being totally over the division and lack of clarity of it all. Covid has transformed over the past two years from a scary death machine to something that seems more mainstream, like the common cold. I have heard every theory and conversation about the vaccine and what is good and bad about it. I have laughed at my fair share of memes, I’ve had mask-ne (yes, that is mask induced acne), and I caught covid in January after being innocently exposed by a friend who was unaware she had it.

My thoughts and feelings about avoiding it or being overly cautious have slightly fallen to the wayside and I err more on the side of just wanting to be with my people again. I want to see your face. I want to hug you. I want to go to a big event and enjoy the non-verbal communication going on all around me, the smiles, the waves, the facial expressions. I don’t believe that masks are bad. I believe they help and they are needed but I am not pro-mask all the time either because it is scientifically proven that breathing in your own air all day isn’t good for you.  Regardless I am not here to debate, quite frankly if you start to debate with me I will say “you win” and walk away. That is the level of over-it I am these days.

One thing I keep coming back to is the effect on our social skills, what will be considered “normal” as we emerge out of this pandemic season? Are we going to have people that are still being cautious and don’t rsvp to your in-person gathering? Are we going to have massive, mask-free, and mosh-pit type events again? I feel like we are bordering on these extremes. People are a little social norm confused and I do NOT blame them. I sort of am too, and I am an EVENT PLANNER! How do we respect people’s comfort levels but also press forward with life? I guess, the answer is that at some point we will probably offend someone.

After I had covid in January I got on an airplane and flew to San Francisco for work. I had followed the CDC and my companies requirements to isolate before traveling and wore my N95 mask everywhere to be extra safe and cautious; no one I was with got sick, I felt good to travel, and overall had a great trip. I credit my mild symptoms and ability to get back to reality so quickly to the fact that I got vaccinated last April/May and got the booster in December. I am not going to make anyone feel bad about not getting vaccinated (that isn’t how I roll) I believe you should be able to choose, however, I was shocked with how several of my friends judged my travel after having covid. I didn’t realize that there was a level of discomfort that even I had contributed too in earlier months when I hadn’t been exposed or sick yet.

I immediately felt bad that I ever judged anyone for getting covid and not quarantining for “long enough” whatever that even means or meant. I even looked at the event my company was hosting in San Francisco differently. I wasn’t nervous to travel for worry of getting exposed or sick. The feeling was liberating and I wanted everyone to feel the same way I did. But I know that will never happen. We are humans with varied opinions, agendas, backgrounds, and experiences. We wont feel the same, clearly, and several people will probably talk really loud about it and share their views on social media. However, I hope (and pray) that the feeling of normalcy will enter the chat sooner than later. With mask mandates lifting and no new news of another variant on the horizon, I think hope for a new normal is in the air!

Please note that the above is not written to be divisive. I firmly believe in everyone taking care of themselves to the best of their abilities and am open to the fact that what that means looks a little different to us all and is always changing. Please be safe and if you have any questions regarding current COVID news and guidelines, see the CDC’s website.

Shari’s Open Love Letter to Her Husband

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Dear Alex,

Although it feels weird to gush about you on the internet, I believe others deserve to know what an amazing individual you are. It’s true. I completely lucked out in the husband department. You are my best friend, my confidant, my rock, and my safe space. Whether it is watching a new tv show together, laughing at something ridiculous, or planning our next adventure… doing life with you is so incredibly fun and fulfilling.

Thank you for being considerate of my feelings and going out of your way to take out the garbage or run a quick errand for me with no complaints. I know that most men aren’t this accommodating and expect their wives to do it all. I am so grateful that you don’t allow that double standard; you are my partner and helper and I appreciate you so much. You encourage my independence and yet you are always there when I need you the most. I joke that marriage has made me soft, but it’s actually quite beautiful to be able to fall more and more in love with the man I married. I try to never take you and your kindness for granted.

Adventuring with you has brought me so much joy. I love seeing some of the prettiest mountain vistas with you and summiting to the next impossibly possible peak. You make every hike an adventure and every exhausting mile worth pushing onward. I always look forward to our final destination and the moment I get to see that huge smile on your face. I’d hike a million more trails with you just to enjoy your reaction at the top. Amazing backpacking destinations, day-hikes to the sky, snowshoeing through wintery wonderlands, or rainy comfy cozy cabin getaways… with you they are all the best trips I’ve ever taken.

I’m grateful for your calming presence, your quick wit, and your genuine care for others. You, my love, are a gem and I am honored to be by your side in this life.

All my love,

Shari

Kendall and Issy’s Love Letter to Their Daughter

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Dearest Valentine,

You are exceptional. Whether we are snuggling or playing with your kitchen set, you always have time for a kiss. You share your food without complaint. No one gives hugs quite like you. Your eagerness to learn everything is inspirational.

This Valentine’s Day we want you to know that you hold our hearts. You’ve seen us be great parents… and you have seen us fail as we scramble to keep up with your toddler heart. You, dear one, have shown us what it means to love fully and unconditionally. We knew love before you but we didn’t really understand how deep love could go. It is a whole other level of being that we were never aware existed. You are incredibly fearless, smart, and beautiful. We want to give you everything we can. So, on this day of love and every day, please know that you inspire us to be better, driven, and loving. You are our hearts walking around outside of our bodies. We know you don’t understand that, but trust mama and daddy when we say, that’s the ultimate power. 

Keep dancing, singing, coloring, running, creating, and being you. You are the perfect Valentine. We love you oh so much. We love you to and through the delta quadrant and back. A million times. 

Love,

Mama and Daddy

Kendall: Pregnancy #2

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If you have read any of my other blogs about pregnancy, you might remember that I hated being pregnant. Like, hated it. I was in so much pain. Depression dominated most of the second and third trimesters. I was not myself. But… Rosemary was worth every single moment of that pregnancy. Regardless, I wasn’t sure I wanted to do that to myself or my marriage again. 

For a while we were on the fence about a second kid. And then, we promptly decided it was not on the table. I would like to say this is where God laughed. The pandemic happened. We were locked down at home. It was during this time that my mind began to change. The COVID-19 pandemic showed me something super clear; if something happened to Issy or I we never wanted Rosemary to be alone. She needed a sibling. 

We agreed to put off the “official decision” until Issy was done with graduate school. BUT in the spring of 2021, I knew that if a second baby was going to happen, it needed to be sooner rather than later. This wasn’t because I felt an urgent need for a baby. Honestly, I knew if we waited until the end of 2022/early 2023, I may not be up to it. It took a while for me to really become a stronger version of myself both physically and mentally after Rosemary’s birth. Our marriage has been in a super strong place (COVID brought us closer in every way rather than driving us apart like it did for so many). Everything just felt “right.” I didn’t want that to fade. 

So, we took our time, talked to my doctor, and just started trying to have a baby. That’s code for “doing it” a lot. This fall, it happened. My first trimester was tough but not as tough as the first trimester in 2018. My food aversions were there but, once again, not bad. There were some bad days… but nothing compared to my 2018 pregnancy. We were excited to share the news with the people we love during the holiday season and, finally, celebrate something other than a vaccine shot. 

At present, I am 22.5 weeks. I am feeling good. Everything seems to be in a good place. The nursery is pretty much set up (minus the artwork). Rosemary is beginning to understand there is a baby in my belly. She is beyond happy to sing her baby brother songs and give him morning kisses. For the sake of my mental health I am relieved that this pregnancy hasn’t seemed to take me down. It also helps that I am better at communicating my feelings and needs with the people around me. Talking to my girlfriends via Marco Polo has also helped. I feel so connected to them and oddly enough, a lot of us are all in the same place in terms of being pregnant or having children. It’s nice to have a tribe.

My current cravings include broccoli, strawberries, yogurt, strawberry cake, strawberry shortcake, chocolate covered strawberries, hummus, roasted carrots, and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. I get sleepy easily and my belly is starting to feel nice and heavy. While this pregnancy hasn’t been as tough, I still don’t love the whole process. I am just not that woman. BUT, I do have a massive appreciation for what my body is able to do and what it is able to handle. I feel stronger than I ever have despite the random aches and pains. 

What (or should I say who) I am really grateful for in this whole process is my husband. He has been such a loving force for me. The other night I curled into him and started crying. I didn’t know why. My hormones just needed to get it out of my system and he was there for all of it. I love that he sings to the baby and reaches for my belly at night time. It’s peaceful. 

I can’t wait to meet my little man. 

Shari’s Ideas for Valentine’s Day

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I have to dedicate this Valentine’s Day post to my Aunt Kory who is currently fighting brain cancer. She isn’t just a typical aunt; she is also my godmother and a super influential person in my life. One of my favorite things about her (and my Uncle Arv) was their dedication to commercial holidays. But seriously though, I’d always get Halloween, Valentine’s, and even St. Patrick’s Day cards from them and usually a little treat to go along with it. So in honor of Aunt Kory, I am pulling up some ideas for you to use on the ones you love. Here is the easy three step process for special holiday gifting.

First, you will need to pick out a really fun card that celebrates the holiday. Be thoughtful about it! The card should make you think of the person you are giving it to. For example, I had a black cat named Pearl and my uncle and aunt would always get me a Halloween card with a black cat… such a cute and personal touch that I appreciated! 

Secondly, a treat… not just any treat, preferably candy that is on theme for the holiday. Something you would find in the holiday section. For example a small box of chocolates in a heart shaped box for Valentine’s Day or a large hollow chocolate bunny for Easter. Yep, go all out with the specific holiday treat. 

Lastly, a small gift or trinket to really remember the holiday… maybe even something that the person could wear or use. This item can vary. Arv and Kory were always thoughtful with this trinket. For me, they’d usually get jewelry that would match the holiday. One year I got black cat earrings for Halloween. Another year I got a pink beaded tie necklace for Valentine’s Day. It was always something fun and another way to ring in the holiday cheer. It didn’t matter if the holiday was St. Patrick’s Day or the Fourth of July, I always knew there would be something special coming my way.

You really don’t have to take any notes from my Uncle Arv and Aunt Kory’s playbook but if you do make sure you always sign your card with a lot of x’s and o’s to really make this gift shine in their honor. I joke a lot about learning how to be such a loving and involved Aunt from how my Aunt Kory treated me and my cousins. But it isn’t really a joke, it is true! The past few months have been difficult as I have watched a woman I have admired my entire life slowly (and quickly) lose her ability to communicate effectively, make decisions, and get me these silly but thoughtful gifts. I never took for granted these small commercial holiday tokens of love but as we come up on such a sweet, pink, and mushy holiday… all I can think about is how much I just wish I was receiving a card and a box of chocolates from my Aunt Kory.

Remember that Valentine’s Day isn’t just about couples or romance. It is also about showing the ones you love, that you care. I know you don’t need a holiday to do that and you also don’t need Thanksgiving to show you’re thankful or Christmas to give gifts, but if you can take anything away from these holidays it’s the sentiment behind making others feel cared for and loved. Your actions speak louder than words and it just may make a memory for someone that they will remember long after you are gone. Maybe they’ll even blog about it.

Kendall’s Thoughts on Meal Delivery Services

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Kendall’s Thoughts on Meal Delivery Services

We have tried a lot of different meal delivery services; HelloFresh, Blue Apron, Hungryroot, and Daily Harvest are just some of the ones we have tried but the list of options is endless! Here is our review of the few we have tried. 

**Please note nothing is sponsored and this is all my own opinion.

4) Daily Harvest: Meh. The DH marketing is fabulous and is what really drew me in! If you are looking for super healthy options to add into your weekly food rotation or a whole new food routine, this may be for you. I love the wholesome ingredients and philosophy they have behind food BUT I have found that a lot of their options really don’t taste that great (and some taste uh-mazing)… BUT since my tastebuds are a little off right now, I have paused them until after June and will give them another shot. I love that they are committed to sustainability and everything from their packaging to ingredients you can feel good about purchasing. That’s worth considering! 

3) Blue Apron: Good food. Constantly missing ingredients. To be fair, we ordered Blue Apron in the height of the pandemic… things were a little crazy. But still, I don’t like ingredients missing from the recipe! Afterall, we are paying customers and want what we are forking money out for. Regardless, the recipes were really delicious and there was a fair amount of variety. The ingredients that did make it into our boxes were really fresh!

2) HelloFresh: Good recipes. Wonderful variety. Annoying advertising. Honestly, we loved everything we got from HelloFresh. I highly recommend them! Something to keep in mind: prep beforehand. Sometimes the little steps can pile up and if you are supposed to be sauteing something at the same time as making a crema on the side, prep is your BFF. We personally found the calories to be a bit on the high end but still really loved everything. Not to worry though, if you are concerned about calories or diet, they do have wonderful options for you to pick from!

1) Hungryroot: Never heard of them? Well, this service has by far been our favorite. It’s one stop grocery shopping with all of the organic and sustainable things you can think of. Their recipes are super simple AND versatile. What I mean by versatile is that you can mix and match things from the different recipes to make a meal. We loved the simplicity and quality of everything we received. We actually plan on going back to them for a bit here in a few weeks. 

When we do have a subscription to a meal service, we don’t like to do it every week. Personally, my husband and I think it can kinda be a waste of money. BUT as a busy and growing family, we appreciate having options available to us and don’t mind spending money on it when we need it. 

Honorable food service mentions: Butcherbox and Thrive Market. We love and use Butcherbox OFTEN. If you want high quality meat and seafood options delivered to your door- they are for you. Sustainability is important to them. As someone who usually buys organic, I find their prices to be really fair. Thrive Market is a game changer for us. We discovered them when we started doing clean Keto. Boy, were we not disappointed! They have a wonderful array of options and their prices are legit. They beat my local health food store in terms of cost- so that’s a total win for me! 

Anyways, what’s a food service that you love?

Shari’s Thoughts on Planner Organization

by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment on Shari’s Thoughts on Planner Organization

Are you one of THOSE people… you know, the person who get’s excited about a physical planner? The person who has to physically write out their tasks, schedule, and to-do lists? I am one hundred percent absolutely that person. I like to think it is way I am able to wrangle my thoughts in a productive and manageable fashion and the only reason I don’t forget where I need to be when I need to be there. For the longest time I tried to have calendar appointments on my phone but there was just something about it that didn’t suffice. There is something about putting the pen to the paper that helps information stick in my brain. So in honor of my love of planners I decided to share with you my top 3 favorite planners and how I typically like to organize them.

First, I love a colorful planer but there is something to be said about a classic, sturdy, simple, durable, well laid out, and empowering planner… that is why I love the Get To Work Book Planner. This planner is a bit of a beast but has probably been one of my favorite planners to haul around with me in the past. I love the design elements by creator Elise Joy and her style of “extras” that you can get to go along with the planner. As an Event Coordinator by nature (and degree) this planner has it all.

My second favorite is the more colorful route of The Happy Planner. This planner is customizable and unique. Easy to take pages in and out and comes in such a variety of options… almost too many. Plus the accessories on this planner are nearly unlimited, from covers to stickers, there are a ton of additional goodies to choose from. They have financial planners and workout planners too just to give you more options than just a calendar planner too.

The third planner on my favorites list is the Emily Ley Simplified Planner which also comes in a variety of colorful options and as an added bonus you can see them in-person at Office Depot. It’s been a few years since I used a Simplified Planner but I remember buying a small, skinny version and I really liked the ability to fit it in my purse. That may not be a huge selling feature but trust me… after having a planner for a year, getting a new one can be embarrassingly exciting.

Now that I have shared a few of my favorite planners and why I like them, let me dive into the part that I nerd out over the most… the planner organization. Here are the steps I take when getting a new planner:

  • When I first get a new planner I look over the pages to see what “extra” options the planner comes with… year at a glance page, blank pages to jot down notes, monthly overviews, etc.
  • After that I pick a “birthday color” from my flair pens and start putting in all my immediate family members birthdays and a few friends (after that I have to add birthdays as they get closer because, to be honest, I am the worst at remembering birthdays).
  • Next I add in important upcoming events or anything that needs to carry over from my previous planner. Sometimes I will color code things to be a certain color like my random work travel and appointments vs my reoccurring monthly board meetings.
  • After I input as much information as I can remember I tend to just have fun with the planner… I will add in some fun stickers or draw cute designs on special days like Christmas or the Fourth of July.
  • Lastly, I go back to the day and week that I am starting off with and notate it as the first day of using my new planner.

I know… if you didn’t think I was a little OCD before, now you most definitely might think I am! Nah, I just really love the organization that a planner can bring to an already full and amazing life. I love the organizations I volunteer for, I love my job and the travel that it takes me on, I love The Salty Exchange and writing these silly but useful (hopefully) blogs and my planner just helps me keep track of it all in a much more focused and manageable way.

People often ask me how I do everything I do… it’s because I write it down and I plan it out! That’s how.

Shari’s Skincare Routine

by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment on Shari’s Skincare Routine

It really isn’t shocking to say this but my insecurities about my skin came about in my early teenage years (like it does for most people). I remember asking my mom to buy me Clearasil facewash when we were at a local grocery store and when I finally started wearing makeup I asked for Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation which really did help my oily acne-prone skin for years (most of high school and college). However, my skin transitioned again in my 20’s and I tried so many (SO MANY) cleansers and different types of makeup that I-kid-you-not, I could have opened a small skincare store myself. Finally in my early 30’s I got more serious and found a podcast about a natural skincare company called OSEA.

OSEA Malibu had a specific skincare line for blemish-prone skin and I ordered their starter pack. That was over three years ago now. I have been using the Ocean Cleansing Mudd clarifying cleanser daily ever since. This cleanser is peppermint-y fresh and leaves my face feeling so clean, I can’t imagine going a day without it. Yes, the products are pricey but they also last me about 2-3 months, maybe more if I forget to wash my face twice a day (Kendall, don’t kill me, ha- she’s a stickler about washing your face). But seriously, they are worth every penny and the starter packs are a great way to test out the products without investing too much into them.

After I have cleansed my face I moisturize it. So let’s talk moisturizers, I never thought my skin could love moisturizer but it actually does… in all seasons, in all weather, dry months, and humid months… my Blemish Balm moisturizer is light and absorbent, refreshing and hydrating, not oily at all and balances my skin in a way no other face moisturizer ever has. I can’t say enough good things about it but at risk of sounding like a saleswoman… just know that if you struggle with oily skin, this is the moisturizer for you.

After I cleanse and moisturize my face I immediately follow with these two must-have items from OSEA, their refreshing Sea Minerals Mist or their award winning Hyaluronic Sea Serum. My skin loves the extra drink of hydration and minerals. I may not use these products every single day (like I do for the cleanser and moisturizer) but I definitely love them. My other favorite items are their body lotions. I have two favorites but for completely different reasons. The Ocean Body Lotion is light-weight and absorbent, it is fragrance free and all-around winner in my book for post shower full-body hydration. My other favorite is a little more luxurious and spa-like; the Anti-Aging Body Balm, I definitely use this one when my skin feels exceptionally dry in the winter months. It is silky and smells amazing but you have to make sure to shake it up before using it. Those are my two favorite OSEA body lotions.

I have been pretty loyal to OSEA Malibu and their brand of skincare, purely because I finally found something worth the money that actually works, which is honestly half the battle when it comes to skincare. I’ve come a long way since my adolescent Clearasil days but I have also invested in my skincare and overall health. My diet, movement, and so many other aspects to my health affect my skin but having good consistent skincare is something that I wish for everyone. Including you!

** Please note this is not an ad for OSEA- I am just a fan!

Kendall’s Tips and Tricks for a Visit to the ER With Your Little One

by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment on Kendall’s Tips and Tricks for a Visit to the ER With Your Little One
Kendall’s Tips and Tricks for a Visit to the ER With Your Little One

Welp, it happened folks. After 3 plus years with a relatively healthy kiddo, we had our first run to the ER this week. Actually, we had two. Let me catch you up…

Early Thursday morning, around 12:30am, I woke up to my monitor going off. Rosemary was crying. Normally, she puts herself right back to sleep. After five minutes though, I knew I needed to check on her. When I walked in, it hit me: the smell… the smell of barf. I had managed to get three years, three months, and 13 days without any vomit other than the occasional spit up when Rosemary was a baby. As they say, my time had come. What followed was a harrowing 5 hours of flying chunks, sips of water that wouldn’t stay down, and a creeping fear that something was wrong. At 5:15 my husband and I knew that we needed to call the pediatrician’s office. Even though it was early, we are lucky enough to have an answering team on standby. By 5:30ish we were instructed to get Rosemary to the emergency room. Since she wasn’t even able to keep a sip of water down, the primary worry was dehydration. We pulled it together and got ready to go. I had enough sense to pack a bag of extra clothes for Rosemary, grab the iPad, and a few books. And off we went to the University of Vermont’s Emergency Department (Main Campus).

Here is where I will gush to you all: UVM is amazing. They had a super efficient check-in process that was made even easier by the fact that we were the only ones there (because, you know it was early AF). Once checked in, the staff was so incredibly gentle and patient with a scared and sick toddler. They even gave her a little kitty stuffed animal that is now lovingly called Kitty Teddy. This small act put her at ease (well as much as you can ask a toddler to be put at ease in a situation like this). Calls for an abdominal ultrasound to rule out any kind of obstruction (specifically, they were looking for Intussusception) were called for. Confirming this wasn’t COVID was paramount so a lovely swab test was also ordered. Rosemary was given some Zofran to help with nausea and to keep her food/water down. The ultrasound took a little bit longer than we thought but it was EXTREMELY thorough. While we waited for those results, Nurse Maggie was tasked with the unfortunate duty of getting the COVID swab from Rosemary. She was so patient and kind and with our help of keeping Rosemary’s hands away from her face, it was done in no time (FYI: it was negative!). While we waited for the ultrasound results, we turned “Vivo” on on my cell phone and let Rosemary relax. Once we were given the all clear that she was ok and probably just fighting a GI infection, we were sent home with a prescription for Zofran and instructions to come back if things didn’t get better.

That’s how we ended up in the ER again on Friday morning at pretty much the same time as the day before. My poor little girl still couldn’t keep anything down- not even a sip of water. She was lethargic but managed to find her toddler strength to resist the ER staff from examining her. This crew of health care professionals were used to kids and could not have been better for our situation. It was decided that in order to fight whatever viral crud she had, she needed to have strength. To have strength she needed fluids to keep her hydrated. Watching Rosemary get a hydration IV was… well… heartbreaking. Not only was she scared of vomiting and already a little traumatized, now they were inserting a needle in her arm. But ever the little warrior (which she totally gets from Issy), she soldiered through. Watching “Vivo” on my iPad definitely helped. The wonderful ladies who were treating her were so gosh darn gentle and understanding of what it is like to help a small and feisty child. They were like shining goddesses of patience. Anyways, after some time, she was able to keep down a popsicle and we were given the all clear to head home, maintain the Zofran regime, and watch for further signs of dehydration. We were given great tips on what to do if she got sick again (please note every kid and case is different so please refer to a medical professional for discharge advice) and when to go back. Luckily, she is on the mend and has been doing so much better. Sometimes, kiddos just get sick and need a little help to get them back on the right track!

After two consecutive trips to the ER, here are my tips and tricks for your (and your kids) survival: 

  • Bring distractions like books, a charged iPad with a show or movie downloaded, and something familiar like a stuffed animal and/or blanket. These things help to distract them and make them feel a little less stressed out.
  • Snacks and water are a must to throw into your bag- after all who knows how long you will be there.
  • Pack a change of clothes/diapers just in case you need them. If you are going to the ER chances are that there is some kind of bodily fluid involved- so think ahead!
  • Have your information ready to go. Don’t be so frazzled that you can’t answer the health care team’s questions. For the sake of your kiddo, have your ducks in a row so that they can get right into treating your loved one. This is a strength of mine; I may feel frazzled but I rarely ever show that in a stressful situation… think cool like a cucumber. 
  • ASK questions as they come up. This may be a bit annoying but will help you understand the road your medical team is taking you down. They can then make sure you really understand and are comfortable with their treatment plan.
  • Don’t be an a%%. Yup, don’t be an a%%. If you are stressed out and a jerk, you really aren’t helping anyone. Did you know in all of our rooms that we had to visit there were signs on the wall about how you can’t assault a healthcare professional? Look, if you have to be told that, then you need to seek some help. You are not only hindering the care of whoever it is you are there for, but your temper just makes you look unreasonable- not the person helping you. If you are annoyed, take a deep breath and revert back to my tip up above: ASK questions. 
  • Bring chargers for your devices. Like I said above, you never know how long you will be there.

Just remember, keep calm. Your kiddo needs you to be strong and sure for them. You got this!

Kendall’s Post Holiday Updates and Looking Ahead

by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment on Kendall’s Post Holiday Updates and Looking Ahead

I love my house during the holidays. There are decorations, candles, and whiffs of delicious baked goods. BUT I also love putting it all away. I am a very clean and simple gal. I like clean lines, when everything has a place, and keeping clutter at a minimum. Getting lost in the holiday festivities is something I love doing every year. Spending time with my family without very many concrete plans is refreshing and comforting. Yet I can’t wait until it’s back to business as usual in our household. 

My husband is back at work after some much deserved time off from work AND school (he is getting his MA). Rosemary isn’t overwhelmed by holiday treats and the constant influx of gifts from family and friends via a delivery service or a knock on the door. There is peace in our household. The many things I sort of put to the side (like practicing STEM activities and potty training) are now back front and center. I feel like I can now focus on everything I need to get done this coming year. My lists are made. My timeline is being finalized. I am ready for you, 2022. 

Christmas (specifically) is the happiest time of my year. I will miss it and wish for it to get here sooner but until then- I am looking forward to everything on the docket. Vermont has a lot to keep us busy until the start of next winter. We have snow in the coming months which means skiing and snowshoeing for our family. Planting and mulching will happen in mid- April in preparation for the plants blooming during the spring. Pool time and BBQing in the summer will get us outside and enjoying the sunshine. Fall leaves and change bring maple syrup treats, traveling through Smuggler’s Notch, and my personal time of renewal. I can’t wait for it all. SO, thank you holiday season 2021- you were full of fun, laughter, tradition, and relaxation. You came at the perfect time for our family and we can’t wait to see you again- hasta luego!

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